State-run English-language China Daily reports on July 1, 2010:
A Chinese man is suing a Beijing Red Cross centre after his blood donation was turned down because he is gay, in what state media said Thursday was the first such case in the country.
A gay editor is making Chinese legal history by becoming the first person to sue Beijing Red Cross Blood Center (BRCBC) for refusing his blood. The case is now waiting to be filed at the Beijing higher people’s court.
The editor, named Wang Zizheng (his pen name), tried to donate blood at Xidan Books Building on June 6. He replied he was gay in the health questionnaire and was told he was not qualified to be a donor by officers from BRCBC.
“We don’t suggest homosexuals, both gays and lesbians, donate their blood, as a precaution for the receivers,” said an officer from BRCBC. “We are following the health standard for blood donors issued by the Ministry of Health.”
Wang felt he was being discriminated against.
...
Wang Zizheng, the plaintiff in the case, said he just hoped the public could treat homosexuals in a more rational way.
"I agree with having restrictions on homosexuals; it is just they have to be scientific," he said. He asked for a public apology from BRCBC and wanted to donate his blood again .
"For thousands of homosexuals in China, someone has to stand out," he said.
Reader's Comments
Well, Drama is Life..
There is no doubt the rules and the science applied are not up to date, as the sex issue goes to any man having sex even once with another man ( or female prostitute) since 1977.
So, if you wish to engage in an altruistic act, donate blood, just look past some of the questions.
I have given almost 10 gallons in my lifetime.
As for banning gays from giving blood, how does that work in a "don't ask don't tell" world.
We know the blood banks have to be extremely careful and that they do a wonderful job. Perhaps they should ask about people's behaviors that are dangers to the blood bank and reject people who engage in those behaviors. That would seem more rational than just banning social groups. A gay celibate priest would ideally be no risk to the blood bank but a straight female who engaged in anal sex would be high risk.
Anyway good on the Chinese guy! Some of those Chinese people are so brave.
Unless they treat you so differently just because of your sexual orientation. Can you imagine if we were to reverse the situation. They accept your blood because you did not mention on your form of your sexual orientation ? Then they sue you ?????
My gosh , why are we suing and being sued ? Can't we just live happily and move on with our lives. This world is becoming a whole big drama.
Live and let live
Weighing against the numbers, it's unlikely Red Cross will reform their standards, however safe, due to the fact that the number of homophobic recipients greatly outnumber the homosexual donors. It's like accidentally dropping one bit of non-halah food bits into the big pot, and the whole pot is rendered unconsumable by Malays.
The thing is, with the disproportionately larger heterosexual polulation, the red cross and any other organisation for that matter, can disregard us....just because we are a minority; one with very few rights.
And in response to someone's suggestion to lie about one's sexual proclivities so that he or she can donate and give, I do not agree. You are giving to a community......you get nothing in return but the knowledge that you've made a contribution. One should not have to lie.
If China has such a policy in place, put there by their Ministry of Health, then Mr Wang has no case.
Unless, of course, China was like India in which discrimination against LGBT is seen as unconstitutional.
that is really one brave chinese dude, kudos to him. we need more people like him to make the world aware of us, and doesn't mean we're homos we're like the shitholes on earth? i hate the fact people keep looking at us, stereotyping like nobody's business.
on the other hand, well, look at the brighter side of life. life doesn't end for that chinese dude or the blood bank people right?
However I am sad to say that most of the time my encounter with PLU is all about sex parties , raunchy sex ( even in public toilets ) , bare bodies macho Marys , public display of hot bods and the list goes on. ( Of course I am sure there are PLU that behaves well , Before we want others to accept us , I believe we need to project the right image before people can take us more seriously. My two cents. I hope someday our blood can help the needy !
Besides, it's not just HIV contamination that is a risk to the potential, or "misadventured", recipient. We all know that in all walks of life that people use some serious drugs. And, just walk around here in San Fransideshow at the Castro and Church Street MUNI stations -- one can EASILY observe signs advising gay men to not use various classes of destructive drugs (listed on the posters) alone or in combination with stress, depression, alcohol... Even other STDs with worse side effects (ie, assuming one with HIV is diagnosed, monitored, and on treatment if required) to the recipient could cause debilitating medical or organ complications.
Still, having said all that, the technology of today REALLY should be conveyor-belt scanning donated blood at some central (regional or state) facilities and then shipped out based on demographics. And, serum and other components should when possible be obtained from other technical and safe means so that no matter WHOM the blood originates, it is not a risk. After all, drugs abusers can lie, too. And if they aren't sniffed out, their blood ends up in the supply system.
Hopefully, is attorney/solicitor actually steers it AWAY from a gay topic and more onto universal precaution type positioning but with anti-gay discrimination as the cornerstone of improving the supply globally.
If they do not want our blood , it's their loss not ours. What is there to sue or be sued. Move on. We got more important agenda out there.
If anyone feel so compelled to do charity - I am sure it can come in other forms. Money , time , skills etc ....and the list goes on.
On the one hand, emotionally it just feels wrong to be lumped together with sex workers and drug addicts in a grouping thats unsuitable for making a donation. In the end, isnt ALL the blood screened before its accepted into the blood bank? surely the questionnaire is not the SOLE screening process?
Practically though I suppose there is a cost to drawing, storing and screening blood and therefore weeding out the high risk groups just makes it a little more efficient.
But if we as mankind accepted such a "practical" approach in life, why not charge fat people more to fly or tall people more for their clothes etc.. surely at some level we do need to balance between practicality and human emotionality?
I for one am glad this brave sole (In China No Less) has chosen to make a stand... hats off to you sir... the world needs more gays like you to make it a better place for all
While I think Wang's attitude is admirable, I wonder if he won't bring trouble upon himself... Keep us posted! Fingers crossed!
It is the blood of Jesus which defeats Satan, and that is why Satan hates His blood. In order to take revenge against Jesus, he harbour this bitterness for 2000 years and makes the whole world to think that the blood of homosexuals is dirty. In this way satan will feel that He has defeated Jesus, the Son of God.
The one and only way for a breakthrough in this issue and for our vindication is for Jesus to come out. He must come out loud and proud that He is a homosexual. Homosexuality is holy and divine, and not a sin. A complete cure for HIV must be found through the body/ stem cells/ blood of homosexuals, not through vaccine.
That is to say, the situation will remain like that until the cure for HIV is found and the truth of homosexuality is revealed. When will it be? No one knows. But please support embryonic stem cell research. That is the right path to breakthrough.
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